Last night Norma Jean and I watched Megyn Kelly’s exclusive interview with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar as they discussed the child molestation charges against their son, Josh.
Leading up to the interview we saw clips of the intense criticism toward the Duggar family from various news outlets. They have been called “hypocrites” and much worse. The vitriolic venom emanating from some sources has been excoriating.
To be clear, the purpose of today’s post is certainly not to condone Josh Duggar’s sinful behavior when he was a teenager. It is not to pass judgment on the response of his parents. It is not to defend the Duggar family per sae. I’ve not been a fan or follower of their reality show on TLC “19 Kids and Counting.” And it’s not to critique their interview with Megyn Kelly!
However, I am concerned about the reaction by the main-stream media and secular progressives when it is discovered that someone with professed Christian values has committed a sin, or is dealing with sin in their family.
For instance, the Duggars have been outspoken regarding their moral beliefs. Like many Christians, they are opposed to abortion, homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Does this revelation about their son, Josh, suddenly invalidate their Faith? Are their beliefs proven false due to the lapse in moral judgment by a family member? Does it make them hypocrites for condemning sin when one of their own has sinned?
As you contemplate these questions, consider this passage from 1 John 1:5-10.
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Here are 6 facts I learn from this text.
(1) We all sin.
(2) To deny that we sin makes us liars.
(3) However, God does not want us to live in sin. Walk in sin. Continue in sin.
(4) God requires confession of our sins.
(5) When we confess our sins, God will forgive us.
(6) Walking in the light of Christ creates an atmosphere of righteous living and provides cleansing, when we confess.
While our sin may diminish our influence and damage our credibility, it does not change God’s Truth! The existence of God, the reliability of Scripture and the credence of Christianity is not dependant upon the perfection of its adherents.
Bible heroes were not infallible, but people with failings and flaws. Abraham lied, but he is called the friend of God. Moses doubted and even disobeyed, but is still hailed as a man of faith. David committed adultery, but is identified as “a man after God’s own heart.” Peter denied Jesus, yet was given “the keys of the kingdom and became a great apostle, preacher and pastor. Each one repented, returned to God and received restoration.
It is good to remember that as Christians we are not perfect, but we are pardoned. We are not sinless, but we are saved. Christ has redeemed us by His blood (Eph. 1:7).
Yes, one’s sinful actions cause hurt, shame, and sorrow, as well as long-term consequences, but they do not nullify our Faith or negate the Truth of Christianity. In fact, it only highlights our continual need for Jesus and His absolute forgiveness.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Thanks for the heads up. We find it easier to excuse ourselves when we find fault in others around us. This ought not to be. We are told to first look at ourselves, before looking at others.
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So true, Tommy. Thanks for reading and commenting
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Reblogged this on Keith Stonehart is dead… and commented:
Ken nails it .. Thank you for insight brother!
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Thanks, Keith! I appreciate your kind words and for reblogging this post.
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One fact that apparently has escaped the media, and some Christians who have responded too, is that forgiveness from God does not remove the earthly consequences of sin. I don’t doubt that Josh and his family sought forgiveness from God, and it is between them and God whether that was sincere and accepted. But that does not mean that, if there are still legal consequences for Josh’s behavior, he should be allowed to avoid them because he has sought and received forgiveness. There is a lot of flexibility in our laws, so maybe it’s okay that the matter go no further given the intervening years and the counseling sought at the time. But that is not a matter for the church – it’s a matter for the law. Moses was obviously a man of God, loved by God, but he still didn’t get to go into the promised land. David was a man after God’s own heart, but his child with Bathsheba still died, and his other children behaved very badly, bringing him tremendous heartbreak. Part of seeking God’s forgiveness is living honestly in the physical world, and ceasing to live in sin must include making right our wrongs to the extent possible. If I steal, I need to give back what was stolen or some equivalent. I personally think Josh Duggar should submit to the authorities and accept the earthly consequences of his behavior, even if he stands forgiven in the eyes of God.
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Susanna, you are absolutely right about the consequences of sin. I totally agree. Maybe you didn’t watch the interview, but Jim Bob took Josh to turn himself in to the police and they took his statement but never charged him. Later someone reported the incident, but the statute of limitations had experienced. However, I would say, that with the release of this information, he is not suffering the consequences of past sins. Sadly, so are the victims.
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Joh 15:18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
Joh 15:21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
Joh 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
Joh 15:23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also.
Joh 15:24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.
The liberal media that promotes the “if it feels good do it” lifestyle hates us when we “feel good” being a Christian. It’s more like “if it feels good do it” unless we don’t agree with you, then your an idiot and bigoted. We should take comfort in the fact they hate us, cause they hated Him first.
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Thanks for sharing…well said.
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You’re welcome, Jenny
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Reblogged this on My Favorite Bible verses and blogs.
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Pingback: Are The Duggars Hypocrites? | ThePreachersWord
First I would have to agree in part with your view, no sin does not negate Christian faith God’s Word is very clear on this matter.
But we must look at the whole picture regarding this family, and who has influenced them, and with whom are they truly working for and for what purpose.
I at first did watch this program, it was clean, they spoke about “God” and seemingly had a “happy” family. But I could not help but sense was the Lord truly behind this, and did Our Lord desire His children to be placed in such a public display. Reading my bible and talking this over with the Lord, I have to say that the Lord was NOT behind this family, and very similar with “Duck Dynasty”. These type of programs makes a shambles and a mockery of what the True Christian Faith is all about.
The Duggar parents did not care for their children in a biblical sense, oh it seems to be, but upon deeper investigating, there was other motives for this series.
Check out the info in my posting regarding this poor family. I feel more for the children because the parents have brought this upon their family, and have guided their children NOT in the ways of the Lord.
Here is the link, if you are interested to see who and what influenced the parents in this family. The Lord desires truth, and the Lord also stated that whatever is hidden shall be made known, because the Lord hates the manipulation of the truth with cunning craftiness and hidden motives.
https://intohisfullness.wordpress.com/2015/06/09/the-duggars-family-19-kids-and-counting-cult-their-bubble-is-about-to-burst/
In His Eternal Love…..
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Reblogged this on ThePreachersWord and commented:
As we finish the year we conclude with the #1 post of 2015 in terms of reader views. As you read, regardless of your personal feelings about the Duggars, the principle of this post is Biblical and unchanged.
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